Don't have mandate but will speak to IOC: Sports Minister

IOC on Wednesday, suspended the IOA because of government interference in its election process

A day after India was suspended by the International Olympic Committee, Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said he does not have the mandate or the jurisdiction to interfere in the matter but will still try to engage with the IOC to get the ban reversed.

Squarely blaming the Indian Olympic Association for the embarrassment, the Minister said had the IOA amended its Constitution to include government guidelines on age and tenure limitation, the suspension could have been avoided.

 "The government does not have any mandate or jurisdiction. We are concerned and that is why we called a meeting of the IOA and wrote to the IOC. That's not our mandate but we will make all efforts to resolve the issue," Singh told reporters here today.

"Two days ago I had met IOA officials and warned them that such a ban can come and amend your Constitution. But today instead of playing the blame-game, the need is to have a future strategy.

"I will once again talk to the IOC and write to them that let's talk about solving this problem for the future of Indian sportspersons. The government will take every step and we are willing to mediate. In the next few days I will also talk to sportspersons on the matter," he added.

In a major embarrassment for India, the IOC yesterday suspended the IOA because of government interference in its election process.

The IOC said that it decided to ban India as the IOA had failed to comply with Olympic Charter and also allowed a tainted official to contest elections for a top post.

The decision was largely expected after the IOA decided to go ahead with the elections today under the government's Sports Code, defying the IOC's diktat to hold the polls under the Olympic Charter.